The thousands of participants and spectators who kick off their Independence Day in Redondo Beach’s Riviera Village will have the opportunity to see two running legends when Village Runner honors the icons prior to its 22nd Annual 4th of July 5K presented by UCLA Health.
Jon Sutherland, who has run more consecutive days than any other American according to the United States Running Streak Association, will be presented the Pathfinder Award by Jacqueline Folkert of UCLA Health.
Since May 26, 1969, Sutherland has run every day for over 46 years logging more than 192,000 miles total – nearly eight times around the earth. The West Hills resident has averaged 11 miles per day during his runs and, in addition to long-time career as a music journalist and manager, Sutherland is the head cross country and assistant track coach at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks.
“I’m honored to accept the Pathfinder award and be part of the 4th of July race,” said Sutherland. “In the beginning I ran to be fast, to compete, and to win races. Now I run for enjoyment and to stay fit. I love to run.”
Sutherland began running as a method of strength training for baseball while a pitcher at LA Valley College. He later started his streak by running every day for one year, having been inspired by his college teammate and friend, Mark Covert.
On May 27, 2014, Sutherland extended his running streak to 45 years and two days (16,438 total), surpassing Covert who had held the record since retiring on his 45th anniversary.
The 64-year-old Sutherland is 266 days ahead of Jim Pearson, 71, of Marysville, Wash.
Sutherland has fond memories of running in Redondo Beach and plans to run in the Village Runner 4th of July 5K.
“I used to run in the Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K in the early years of the race,” Sutherland said. “It would attract many of the top runners from Orange County who I looked forward to competing against. I’m going to try join the back of the pack at the 4th of july 5K but standing 6-foot-4 with gray hair, it won’t be easy to mix in.”
Along with running, Sutherland has been compelled by music, working in the industry for many years as a writer for heavy metal magazines such as Record Review, Bam and Rip. He was also the band manager for Tribe of Gypsies, the solo band for Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden fame.
In one year while working as a talent scout for new bands, Sutherland attended 179 rock concerts while running over 100 miles a week.
“Running rewards you for going to bed early but rock and roll punishes you for going to bed early,” Sutherland said. “If you’re not up late in the rock world, you miss a lot. The two lifestyles are are hard to maintain at the same time.”
Like most Americans, Sutherland has not been able to outrun the flu, yet has pulled himself out of bed to keep his streak alive, sometimes not running until 11:30 p.m.
He has had ten broken bones during the streak, including a fracture of his pelvis suffered during a half marathon in the San Fernando Valley in 1988.
He has had arthroscopic surgery on both knees, running before the surgery and in the afternoon the following day. He even ran the day his father died.
“His dedication and love for running is astonishing,” said Village Runner 4th of July 5K Race Director and Founder, Mike Ward. “Sutherland became a top runner at LA Valley College and then later on at Cal State Northridge. He also was a post-collegiate world-class distance runner, winning 325 road races. He is an inspiration to all.”
Sutherland was coached his first six years by Laszlo Tabori who, appropriately, will be the awarded Village Runner’s inaugural Running Icon Award.
Jacki Hansen, a pioneer in women’s distance running who twice broke the world record in the marathon (1974 and 1975), will present the award to Tabori who coached Hansen throughout her career.
“All of my achievements were made possible by Laszlo,” Hansen said. “He taught me the life lessons I needed to succeed: discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and work ethic. He trained us as hard as the men and this really helped us.”
On May 28th, 1955 Tabori became the third man to break the four-minute mile barrier, setting a European Record with a time of 3:59.0, joining Roger Bannister and John Landy in an elite group.
“It’s an exciting time for me, as on this 60th Anniversary of breaking the 4-minute mile. I am honored to be at the 22nd Village Runner 4th of July 5K in Redondo Beach,“ Tabori said. “Like my coach Mihaly Igloi told me, ‘I don’t want a strong man, I want a fast man.’ So, ‘put your gets to it’ and go run fast.”
Tabori and his Hungarian teammates were the favorites going into the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. However, tragedy struck just before the Olympics began as the Soviet army invaded Hungary to put down the Hungarian Revolution. Dealing with the travel complications, emotional and mental strain of his country’s loss, Tabori still finished a very respectable 4th in the 1500m and 6th in the 5000m.
Following the Olympics, Tabori and Igloi defected to the United States where Tabori continued to compete at a world-class level, retiring in 1962.
Tabori currently resides in Oak Park and for nine years served as distance coach for the USC track and field team.
Tabori has written a book on his life and running entitled “Laszlo Tabori – The Legendary Story of the Great Hungarian Runner” and will be holding a book signing from noon – 3 p.m. at the two-day Health and Wellness Expo on Friday, July 3 and on race day.
The Village Runner 4th of July 5K race begins at 8 a.m. where runners will attempt to dethrone two-time defending champion David Cardona of Torrance. Cardona posted a winning time of 15 minutes, eight seconds last year.
Redondo Beach’s D’Ann Arthur is the defending women’s champion finishing at 16:43 in 2014. Male and female overall winners will be awarded $200, second-place finishers $125 and third-place finishers $75.
Prior to the start of the race, there will be the Red, White, and Blue Costume Contest with cash prizes awarded for the best and most unique running costumes.
Following the 5K, the popular Firecracker Dash races for kids 12 and under will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. A post-race party will be held at Rock & Brews, 6300 Pacific Coast Hwy, within walking distance from the finish line.
Entry fees are $40 for the 5K Run/Walk and $30 for the Firecracker Dash. Registration is available at Village Runner, 1811-A Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach or online at villagerunner.com.
